TOP TRENDS IN THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR IN 2024

Jan 04, 2024 07:20 AM

The manufacturing sector is often considered the backbone of any economy. Economies are built on manufacturing and decline when the same slows down. So, our focus as Salesforce partners on today’s blog is on this crucial sector and what are the leading trends that will be making waves in 2024. Some trends you may be familiar with, and some not.

The top trends in the manufacturing sector in 2024 as per Salesforce partners are:

The ascendancy of smart factories. Factories will be moving ahead on the option of smart factory adoption, shifting from the rare or spotty implementation of smart equipment to end-to-end systems, taking benefit of the possibilities of data analytics & communication, between machines & central reviewing tools. The prices of smart factory software & equipment are falling, whereas the advantages — increased proactive & useful maintenance, enhanced visibility into process efficiency, and a reduction in operating costs is cause for joy.

Manufacturing Cloud. The Salesforce Manufacturing Cloud deployed via Salesforce partners enables industrialists to provide intelligent field cycles, b2b commerce, channel management, etc in a more consolidated manner. The Manufacturing Cloud Salesforce services offer a gamut of benefits which is why their adoption has been booming in the last few years. These benefits include and are not limited to a reduction in overhead costs and enhanced efficiency. The Salesforce Manufacturing Cloud offers a comprehensive picture of customers in the manufacturing industry.

Spread of Artificial Intelligence. Technologies like machine learning, AI, and AR & VR are enabling manufacturers to become models of efficiency via remote monitoring, servicing, and equipment operation. The need to be present at a location is over. How cool is that? The expansion of “ dark factories ‘ or factories that are 100% automated is also on the rise. New frontiers.

Re-evaluation of the supply chain. The supply chain remains the focus of continuous monitoring, management, & enhancement, with facilities finding unique ways to bolster flexibility and dependency, besides being of value. Data is being used, with data-fuelled inventory management becoming a keyway to mark earlier hidden supply chain issues. Manufacturers are going to leverage available data to adjust quicker to the vagaries of the supply chain ecosystem and work to lower disruptions, which continue to surface from time to time.

Customer Relationship Management tool. More companies are now seeing the advantages of having a CRM tool deployed by Salesforce partners in their tech kitty. It is a fine tool for managing client relationships — such as handling client data, prospects, and deals, proposal quotes, and order status — to provide a wholesome experience to clients & audiences. It’s helpful if the CRM is linked to ERP which will be useful for complex personalised manufacturers. By the way, Salesforce is a leading CRM tool and is implemented via Salesforce partners for manufacturers.

Focus on B2C. More companies will sell directly to consumers via e-commerce portals and so on. Thus, companies earlier in the B2B space are now gravitating more to B2C and this will gain traction in 2024.